Building block



Aug. 28, 1928 1,682,360 F. J. STRAUB A BUILDING BLOCK Filed Nov. 16, 1926 4. ar a v Patented Aug. 28, 1928.

UNITED STATES,

FRANCIS J. STRAUB, OI NEW KEIISINGTOLI, PENNSYLVANIA."

BUILDING BLOCK.

Applicationfiled November 16, 1926. Serial No. 148,680.

My invention relates to an improvement in building blocks of the kind usually known as concrete blocks, made of any suitable aggregate, cement or other binder, and water.'

The object in view is to provide a block formed in a pressing machine, with the usual core openings, in which such openings are not located midway between the, opposite sides, but nearer to one side and more remote I" from the other, resulting in relatively thick and thin side wall portions.

Incidentally, it isalso preferable to have the thin wall portions of denser consistency than the thick wall portions, which are of relatively more porous or lighter consistency.

In making my improved block, I utilize any suitable standard block forming press having clearance forming cores, filling and tamping mechanism, ejecting mechanism, and the other necessary features of such machines,

' but arranged to form the block of the present invention.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a plan view of a block embodying the invention; and

Fig. 2 is a perspective view thereof.

The block A is of usual standard outside dimensions, as 8" x 8" x 16", having opposite side faces 2, 2, top and bottom faces 3,

3o 3, and ends 4, 4. Core openings 5 and 6 are formed transversely of the block, within its body portion .and across the ends, for lightness and ventilation, as is the common practice.

In the usual manufacture of blocks of the same general kind, whether made of sand and gravel aggregate or cinder and ashes or other suitable materials, with cement and water, the block is formed in a molding machine 40, under the pressure of tamps or other compressing elements, and dried by air exposure.

Such blocks as now commonly made have a uniform consistency throughout, and with the transverse openings arranged midway of the block, the opposing walls being of substantially the same thickness.

' In my present invention, I locate the transverse openings 5 and 6 materially closer to one of the side faces 2 than the other, so that the intervening wall section 7 is considerably less in thickness than the opposite wall sec-- tion 8, as clearly shown.

Incidentally, the density of the thinner wall section is preferably. greatly .increased by additional pressure under the action of the tamps, etc., as clearly described in my companion application Serial No 148,675.

The opposite wall section 8 is correspondingly lighter and more porous, of a consistency usually prevalent throughout the entire body portion of the block.

In making blocks of a light, porous aggregate, such as cinder and ashes, like that of my Patent No. 1,212,840, the advantages of the vinvention are particularly realized in that the denser wall section 7 is better adapted to weather exposure, and provides for the laying of blocks in a wall with such thinner and denser portion exposed.

On the other hand, the less dense and more porous side 8, being on the inner side, is better adapted to application of plaster or other finishing, while also providing for the nailing thereon of trim or other wooden elements. A further advantage is that a comparatively wide area is provided for the placement and support thereon of floor joists or other Wooden portions in a building.

In addition .to the extra density of the thinner wall, it may also be finished by the supplemental treatment in the molding machine of a vibrating or reciprocating wall portion thereof, giving a smooth trowelled surface effect, as is more fully set forth in another co-opending application Serial No. 148,674.

In manufacturing my improved block, it will be understood that the molding machine 1s provided with the usual cores, properly offset to locate the core openings with the relative proportions of thin and thick sides, and

that the usual lifting and supporting pallet is correspondingly modified to conform thereto.

The advantages of the invention will be readily appreciated by all those familiar with this class of building material.

The additional density of the thin walls adds but slightly to the weight, while the several advantages noted are features of value and greatly add to the durability, appearance and service of the block.

It will be understood that it may be made in various proportions and dimensions, number of transverse openings, or in other respects, but that all such advantages are to be under,-

' stood as included within the scope of the following claims. 7 I i What I claim is: L

.1. A concrete building block composed of a continuously similar dried aggregate having tran openings therethrough, and opposite relatively thick and thin side wall portinuously dense thin side wall portion at one tions, the thin side wall portions being maside, and a continuously relatively open and terially denser than the thick side wall porpoirous thick side Wall portion at the other 10 tion. si e.

2. A concrete building block composed of a In testimony whereof I hereunto efiii iny continuously similar dried aggregate having signature. transverse openings therethrough, a con- FRANCIS J. STRAUB. 

